The recent announcement of a video game adaptation of Robert Jordan's epic series, The Wheel of Time, has stirred both excitement and skepticism among fans. The news, initially reported by Variety, details an ambitious "AAA open-world role-playing game" set to launch on PC and consoles, with a development timeline of three years. This project is being spearheaded by iwot Studios' newly established game development arm in Montreal, under the leadership of Craig Alexander, a seasoned executive from Warner Bros. Games who has previously managed successful franchises such as The Lord of the Rings Online and Dungeons & Dragons Online.
Despite the credentials of the team, the involvement of iwot Studios, which acquired the rights to The Wheel of Time back in 2004 as Red Eagle Entertainment, has raised concerns. The studio's history with the franchise has been turbulent, marked by a strained relationship with the fanbase. Online forums and social media are rife with accusations of iwot Studios being an "IP camper" and criticisms that the studio has not effectively utilized the The Wheel of Time intellectual property, with several projects fizzling out over the years.
Moreover, the ambitious claim of delivering a high-quality triple-A RPG within a relatively short three-year window from a newly formed studio has led many fans to adopt a cautious "we'll believe it when we see it" stance. This skepticism is further fueled by the studio's past and the complex expectations set by fans of such a beloved series.
On a more positive note, The Wheel of Time has enjoyed a resurgence in popularity thanks to its successful Amazon Prime Video series, which concluded its third season to favorable reviews and a significant following. After initial seasons that deviated from the source material, Season 3 managed to realign more closely with the books, winning back much of the core fanbase.
In an effort to address the swirling doubts and provide clarity on the project, I had the opportunity to speak with Rick Selvage, the head of iwot Studios, and Craig Alexander, the studio head for the game development, via video call. Our discussion aimed to shed light on the project's current status, its scope, what fans can anticipate, and to directly confront the online criticism that has been directed at iwot Studios.
